by Haruka

Malachite's fingers tapped impatiently on the phone receiver as he waited for Jadeite to call back. He knew Lita had gone home a long time ago and his door was no longer barred, but he hadn't yet left his room. Let Zoisite wonder what he was up to. Once the call came in, he'd be that much closer to getting her back in line.
The phone rang and he snatched it off the cradle. "Malachite here."
"It's Jadeite."
"Took you long enough."
"It isn't easy to track down information on a species that is nearly extinct," Jadeite replied. "It's possible that those alien tree sprites of yours are the last of their kind."
"Good, then once these ones are out of my life, I won't have to worry about any others popping up," Malachite stated. "Now tell me what you've got."
"Okay, if what you want are weaknesses, one of the biggest is their dependence on the tree. Their life energy comes from that tree, and extended separation would weaken and eventually kill them." Jadeite coughed nervously. "But you just want to scare them, right?"
"I want them out of my house and off my property," Malachite answered evenly. "Ordering them away hasn't worked and they're not afraid of me."
"You mean you'll hurt them if you have to?" Jadeite asked.
"At the moment, I can't even touch them," Malachite replied, ignoring the question. "They can teleport before I get anywhere close."
"Well, if you _can_ get close enough to touch them, you'll discover another one of their weaknesses," Jadeite said. "They can't teleport once you've got hold of them."
Malachite straightened. "You mean if I grab onto them, they can't disappear unless I let go?"
"Right, and they probably won't be able to struggle free. Tree sprites are magically powerful but physically vulnerable. They're not very strong and their threshold of pain is extremely low. The most sensitive spot on their bodies is the tips of their ears."
"Hmm, that's very good," Malachite said thoughtfully. "Thank you for the information, Jadeite. You may consider your debt paid in full."
"If I hadn't owed you, I wouldn't have done this," Jadeite said frankly. "If you really have a couple of alien tree sprites there, you should be protecting they and their tree. They're rare creatures."
"Not rare enough for me," Malachite retorted and hung up. A cool smile of satisfaction spread across his face.

"This is ridiculous," Lita whispered to Raye, who nodded. They were enduring a very uncomfortable breakfast with the other girls, including Setsuna and Haruka, who refused to look or speak to each other. Apparently Haruka's understanding of Setsuna's point-of-view lasted only so long as they weren't in the same room. Setsuna had at least started out politely; she said good morning to Haruka when she came down. It was only after the tomboy ignored her that she began returning the favour. She didn't have much to say to anyone else, either, preferring to toy with her food as she stared at the table.
Luna and Artemis exchanged a glance, having noticed both Haruka's attitude and Setsuna's distraction. Luna cleared her throat. "So what plans do you all have today?"
"I thought I'd go to school," Mina chirped. "Since they're going to all the trouble of having it and all."
"I meant after school, smarty pants." Luna smiled.
"Volleyball practice."
"I may be going to the library again," Amy remarked.
"Serena, Raye and I are going shopping," Lita said. "We'll take the city bus home."
"I have swim practice," Michiru said.
"I'll be staying late, too," Haruka remarked.
Everyone fell silent, and Setsuna finally looked up from the table. "What did you say?"
"I said I'm staying after school, too," Haruka said casually. "I'll watch Michi's swim practice and drive her home afterwards."
"You will not," Setsuna told her. "You're grounded. You'll come straight home after school."
"So how's Michi supposed to get back?" Haruka demanded. "I won't have her taking the bus!"
"I'll come over to the school and wait for her to finish swim practice," Setsuna said firmly. "That way Mina will be able to ride home with us."
"Fine, have it your way. Come on, Michi." Haruka got up.
"Where are you going now?" Setsuna asked.
"I have an appointment to commit a felony," Haruka replied and put her arm around Michiru. They were out of the kitchen before Setsuna could protest. She looked around at the others.
"Exactly what did she mean by that?" she asked.
The girls avoided her eyes. Setsuna pursed her lips and threw down her napkin.
"I guess you've all decided I'm the enemy, right? Haruka's the victim and I'm the bad guy. Well, it's a dirty job but somebody has to do it!" Setsuna got up and ran out of the kitchen. She didn't stop until she'd reached her bedroom, where she dropped onto the bed in tears. It wasn't fair, she thought miserably. She was being excluded in her own home. The girls were keeping secrets and siding against her. Was this what it was like to be in charge? If so, she didn't see the appeal Malachite found in it at all. Of course, that wasn't the only thing she didn't understand about Malachite. Then there was Zoisite, whose very name stirred something inside her every time it came up. Was she attracted to the younger girl? How could that be when she was semi-going out with Malachite?
"How did everything get so messed up?" Setsuna whispered. "The girls hate me, I'm not sure I can trust Malachite, and even I don't understand what I'm feeling for Zoisite." She sighed and another tear dripped off her long lashes. "I'm as lonely here as I was guarding the Gates of Time."

Zoisite glanced over her shoulder toward the door of Malachite's den. She knew the sprites were standing guard outside, but she still felt nervous. The den was one place in the house that had been forbidden her since Malachite took charge. If he caught her there, she'd have some heavy explaining to do.
"Come on, I know there's something here," she muttered to herself as she rifled through the papers on the desk. "Ah ha!" she said triumphantly and held up a photocopied letter. Malachite's signature was clear at the bottom.
Ann suddenly materialized beside her. "Malachite's coming!" she warned. "Alan can keep him distracted for a few moments, but--"
"It's okay, I've got what I need." Zoisite pushed the letter into Ann's hand. "Pop out with this so he won't find it on me if he comes in."
"Okay, but be careful," Ann told her and disappeared. Zoisite could already hear Malachite barking at Alan in the hallway, so she quickly hid under the desk.
"Get out of my way, you green-faced freak!" Malachite yelled.
"You know, if you'd just asked nicely, I'd have moved by now," Alan responded calmly.
"Why you--"
Zoisite heard a thump, then Malachite swearing. She tensed as he entered the den, grumbling to himself about vanishing sprites. He paused by the desk and for one heart-stopping moment, Zoisite thought she'd been discovered. But Malachite opened one of the desk drawers, then shut it and left. Zoisite took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Alan's legs appeared in front of the desk and he crouched down to look at her. "The coast is clear."
"Thanks," she said gratefully and crawled out. "I don't know what I'd do without you and Ann."
"She gave me this for you." Alan passed the letter to her. "Come on, let's get out before he comes back."
"Yeah, I have to get going, anyway. I've got no money left for a cab, so it's another long walk to school."
"Zoisite!" Malachite called.
"Now what?" she mumbled and hurried out of the den. "What is it?" she yelled back.
His answer came from the front door. "Come here and see this."
She joined him a moment later and followed his gaze out the door's window. "Wow!" She breathed at the sight of a gold sports car in the driveway. "Whose is it?"
"I thought you might know," Malachite said dryly. "I don't."
Just then the door opened on the driver's side and Haruka stepped out.
"How'd she ever get an expensive car like that?" Malachite muttered.
Haruka walked up to the door and Malachite opened it. "What brings you here, Miss Ten'ou?"
Haruka pushed her sunglasses up on her head. "Good morning to you, too, Malachite." She smiled at Zoisite. "I thought you could use a ride to school."
"Uh, yes actually, I could," Zoisite said in surprise. "But isn't this out of your way?"
The tomboy shrugged. "Not that much. We can pick you up every day if you like."
Zoisite loved the look on Malachite's face when he heard that. He'd obviously never counted on her having friends someday. Take that, Lord and Master, she thought smugly. To Haruka she said, "Thanks a lot, I really appreciate this." She picked up her books and jacket, tossing Malachite a sweet smile. "Bye bye, Stepbrother Dearest."
He scowled, but said nothing as she skipped down the stairs and slid into the backseat of the gorgeous car.
"Hi Michiru!" she greeted the girl in the front seat while Haruka got in. "This is really nice of you both. I know you usually take the cycle to school."
"So now we'll take the car," Michiru said with a smile. "We all promised to help you, Zoisite, and we meant it."
"Did you bring the signature?" Haruka asked as she pulled out onto the street.
"Right here," Zoisite assured her.
"Good, we'll take care of that as soon as we get there so you can drop off your notice at the office." Haruka glanced back at Zoisite. "How are you feeling, anyway?"
"Better," Zoisite said firmly. "Alan and Ann took care of me."
"I think that between those two and us, Malachite's finding that his dictatorial rule over you is at an end," Haruka stated.

Malachite watched the gold car disappear down the street and silently cursed Haruka. He also cursed himself for not thinking fast enough to stop it. He should have refused to let Zoisite go on the grounds that he didn't trust Haruka's driving. But then, Setsuna did trust her, and how would he explain that excuse without offending her?
"Wasn't it nice of Haruka and Michiru to think of Zoisite?"
Malachite turned to find Alan and Ann grinning cheekily at him. He briefly considered leaping at them right then, but they were just far enough away that he'd never grab them in time. He scowled at them. "Don't you have anything better to do than pester me?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," Ann replied. "I offered to run an errand downtown for Zoisite, and while I'm there I plan to do some serious window-shopping."
"I'll stay here and hold down the fort," Alan smiled at her. "Can't let the servants think we've abandoned them, after all."
"If I weren't paying them so well, they'd probably have all quit by now, thanks to you," Malachite muttered, turning away. Then it struck him: If Ann was going downtown, that left Alan here alone. Cornering one sprite had to be easier than taking them both on at once. Hiding a smile, he picked up his briefcase. "I've had enough of you for one morning. Going to classes will be a relief."
"Not for your teachers!" Ann laughed and vanished. Alan winked at Malachite and disappeared himself. Malachite put the briefcase back down, his smile turning into a smirk. Classes would have to wait. Ann was probably already downtown, but Alan was somewhere in the house. Once he tracked him down, it wouldn't be hard to 'persuade' him that he and Ann should leave for good.

Setsuna sat down on a bench and heaved a heavy sigh. Her first period class had not gone well. She'd been inattentive and distracted, so much so that the teacher scolded her in front of everyone. Considering the state I'm in, she thought, I shouldn't even have bothered coming. To top it off, Malachite was absent, right when she really needed to talk to him about her problems with Haruka.
"You look like I feel."
Setsuna raised her magenta eyes to meet the blue ones of a handsome young man. He had short blonde hair and seemed familiar, but she couldn't remember his name. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"I'm Jadeite," he said with a smile. "Malachite introduced us on your first day here. I'm majoring in computer science."
"Oh yes, I remember." Setsuna smiled back. "Please excuse me for not recognizing you right away. I think it's because of the day I'm having."
"That's why I said that you look like I feel," Jadeite remarked, sitting on the bench with her. "My lousy day started last night, and hasn't yet ended."
"That does sound like me," Setsuna agreed ruefully. "I had a problem and I wanted to ask Malachite for advice, but he isn't here."
"Malachite is my problem," Jadeite sighed. "He and my own conscience, that is."
Setsuna frowned in concern. "Have you done something you regret?"
"I'm afraid so, and the fact that I had little choice is small comfort." Jadeite looked at her. "You see, I didn't have enough money for my tuition this year. I thought I did, but by the time I found out I didn't, it was too late to apply for a scholarship. I was desperate, enough so that I asked Malachite for the money."
"I guess he gave it to you, since you're here," Setsuna remarked gently.
"Yes, but at a price," Jadeite said. "Malachite didn't want to have me pay back the cash, he wanted a favour instead. It would be legal, he promised, but when the time came he would expect the favour carried out fully. I agreed, but only because he swore I wouldn't have to break the law." He shook his head. "Last night he called in that favour. While it was legal, it did nothing for my self-respect to fulfill it."
Setsuna felt inexplicably chilled. "What was the favour?"
"He wanted all the information I could find on tree sprites," Jadeite admitted. "Particularly their weaknesses. He had a couple of them in his house, and when I called him back with what I had, I kept getting the impression he planned to utilize what I told him to hurt them. He avoided my direct questions about it, but--Setsuna, are you all right?!"
Setsuna had gone white, her eyes wide with horror. "He can't!" She jumped up and ran down the hall, ignoring Jadeite as he called after her.

Where is that kid?! Malachite thought fiercely as he paused in the middle of the hall. He'd already checked the entire house and grounds, with the exception of the big tree. He wasn't about to get too close to it just in case it tried to protect Alan. Besides, he hadn't seen any sign that the sprite was in the tree anywhere. Chances were, he'd decided to go with Ann, in which case, he'd wasted time by cutting class. He'd decided to have one last look around before admitting defeat, which was why he was back upstairs.
He began his second careful, methodical search of one room after another. He closed the door of Zoisite's room as he finished with it and continued down the hall. Maybe the brat had spotted him searching and was refusing to materialize. That would mean a long time before he'd ever get another chance. Malachite clenched his jaw and passed by his own room, heading for the next guest room. He stopped abruptly as he saw something in his peripheral vision. Quickly, he moved back to his doorway and peered around the frame.
Inside the room, his walk-in closet door was opened, and Alan was just stepping out of it, holding one of Malachite's capes. He stood in front of the full-length mirror and fastened it around his throat. Then he admired his reflection.
Malachite couldn't believe it. The kid had not only entered his room without permission, he was trying on his clothes! The sheer nerve of it was enough to steel his resolve. When Alan next went into the closet, Malachite slipped into the room and waited behind the closet door. He readied himself as he heard the sprite's approach, and the moment he saw him passing by, he roughly grabbed his arm.
Alan gasped and whirled around, but Malachite quickly took hold of his other arm so that the sprite faced him squarely. "What's the matter, Alan?" he asked coolly. "Can't pull your disappearing trick for some reason?"
"Let go of me," Alan said fearfully.
"Not bloody likely," Malachite growled, increasing the pressure on Alan's biceps. The sprite yelped, squeezing his eyes shut. Malachite found he enjoyed causing pain to one who'd been a source of aggravation to him, and he gave Alan a violent shake. "What the hell did you think you were doing going through my clothes?! What right do you have to be in my room--or for that matter in my house--at all?!"
"I like the way you dress," Alan admitted, still wincing at the pressure on his arms. "You always look so handsome and dignified. I-I just wanted to see if I could look that way, too."
"As I said before, not bloody likely," Malachite snapped, then shook Alan again. "I'm fed up with you and that pink-haired brat, do you hear me?! You've caused me nothing but trouble since you got here and it's going to stop now!" Releasing Alan's left arm, Malachite pulled back his hand and slammed it against the boy's left cheek. Alan cried out, and tears sprang to his eyes. He tried to struggle away from Malachite, who realized Jadeite had been right about the sprites' physical weakness; Alan couldn't escape as long as he kept hold of him. He slapped the sprite again, then grabbed a fistful of powder-blue hair, twisting it close to the scalp. Alan screamed, and Malachite back-handed him, still holding firmly to his hair. The sprite whimpered, and looked up at Malachite with moist blue eyes. The hurt that shone in them went deeper than the physical.
Malachite was unmoved. "Everything was fine before you and Ann came," he snarled. "But from the moment you first interfered between myself and Zoisite, I've lost all control. I may yet get it back once you're out of the picture and that's exactly what's going to happen." He backhanded Alan again. "You and Ann are going to leave and never come back, do you understand me?"
"We ... can't," Alan murmured, tears streaming down his cheeks. "The tree ... it takes us where ... where it wants us to go."
"Then it better want you to go somewhere else and fast." Malachite smoothed his palm over the edge of Alan's pointed right ear. A moment later, he grabbed the tip and squeezed.
Alan's scream nearly pierced Malachite's eardrum, but he steeled himself and increased the pressure.
"Malachite, stop!"
He looked up in shock to see Setsuna in his bedroom doorway, a horrified expression on her face. Before he could respond to her, Alan went limp in his arms and the bedroom window shattered. Malachite turned sharply and saw a pointed tree root heading straight for him. Dropping Alan, he dove into his closet and slammed the door behind him. He remained frozen in terror, crouched against the far wall of the closet, wondering if the root would crash through the door at any second. When several moments went by without a sound, he cautiously approached the door and peered out.
The root was gone, and so were Alan and Setsuna. Malachite ran to the bedroom door and looked up and down the hall, but there was no sign of anyone except servants coming to investigate the noise. He went over to the smashed window and saw the big tree across the orchard, looking no different from usual. Where was Setsuna? Did the tree get her? He knew he should go and find out, but from the way that branch came at him, the thought of a stroll out back didn't seem like a good idea right then.

Setsuna slowly opened her eyes. She felt the roughness of bark against her cheek and raised her head. The root that pulled her out of the house had deposited her on a large branch of an enormous tree.
"Alan?"
The tearful voice penetrated Setsuna's thoughts and she looked toward it. On the branch opposite her, the blue-haired tree sprite lay unconscious, his head cradled in the lap of a female sprite. She raised moist eyes to meet Setsuna's.
"How could he?" the pink-haired sprite cried. "How could that monster do this?"
"I don't know," Setsuna said softly. "I just wish I'd come in a few minutes sooner."
The female sprite looked at her closely. "You're Setsuna, aren't you?"
"Yes," she answered.
The sprite nodded. "I'm Ann. This is Alan," she said, lowering her pink eyes to the boy's face. She smoothed his bangs tenderly. "Don't feel badly for not arriving sooner. Malachite was determined to get rid of us so he could regain control over Zoisite. Nothing less would satisfy him."
"Zoisite," Setsuna whispered, feeling a chill run through her. Malachite's stepsister didn't know he'd become violent, and could be in danger herself if she returned to the house. Setsuna carefully got to her feet, then realized the branch was wide enough that her footing was assured. She looked over at Ann. "I may have been too late to help Alan, but at least I can get Zoisite to safety."
Ann looked up quickly, her eyes wide with fear. "Yes, she must be protected from him! He already tried to hurt her once himself, and when that failed he had someone else do it."
The picture of Zoisite in obvious pain and trying to hide it flashed through Setsuna's mind. Malachite was somehow responsible for that and she hadn't known. Grim determination strengthened her resolve. "I'll bring Zoisite to our house. She'll be safer there than anywhere else."
"Please take care of her," Ann asked earnestly. "And tell her that Alan will be all right. The tree will saturate him with energy and he'll be healed."
Setsuna leaped over to the opposite branch and bent down to give Ann a gentle hug. "Thank you for befriending Zoisite. You were there when no one else was."
"We'll still be there whenever she needs us," Ann promised. "But she's not alone anymore."
"You and Alan are welcome at our house as well," Setsuna told her seriously.
Ann smiled gratefully. "Thank you, but we have to stay with the tree. We'll both come by to see Zoisite later. In the meantime, I don't think Malachite is stupid enough to approach us here."
"He's not brave enough, either," Setsuna remarked dryly. "You'll be safe here." She touched Alan's hair softly and gave Ann another squeeze. "I'll see you later," she said, and began her descent.

"Are you okay, Zoisite?" Michiru asked as the two of them entered the cafeteria with Haruka. "You've been distracted all morning."
"You're not afraid of being paddled again, are you?" Haruka studied Zoisite.
"No, I think the teachers heard about yesterday's incident and are satisfied." Zoisite twisted a tendril of caramel-coloured hair around her finger. "I can't explain why I've felt so weird all morning. I'm restless."
"We could cut class this afternoon," Haruka suggested casually.
"Haruka!" Michiru scolded.
The tomboy grinned and put an arm around her. "Just kidding, Michi."
"Over here, guys!" Lita waved from the table she and the other girls had staked out.
"Come on." Michiru patted Zoisite's arm reassuringly. "Maybe some lunch will make you feel better."
"Hi, you three," Mina greeted as they sat down. "How'd your morning go?"
"Could have been worse," Zoisite said. "The Principal didn't question Haruka's forgery on the paddling notice. Also, our art teacher was absent, so I didn't have to risk jail by ripping her head off." She sighed. "I just wish I could shake this uneasy feeling that--"
"Hey, there's Setsuna!" Raye said suddenly.
Zoisite turned in her seat just as Setsuna spotted her. The green- haired beauty headed their way, her magenta eyes focused on Zoisite.
"Something's wrong," Haruka stated.
Setsuna stopped beside Zoisite and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Zoisite, but there's been some trouble at your house."
"What kind of trouble?" she asked nervously.
Setsuna lowered her voice, aware that people at nearby tables were trying to eavesdrop. "Malachite brutalized Alan."
Zoisite paled. "How badly is he hurt?"
"Ann was with him when I left. She said the tree would heal him." Setsuna gazed at her with concern. "It's you I'm concerned about now. Malachite is dangerous, especially now that his true nature has revealed itself. You can't go home."
"Where can I go?" Zoisite asked fearfully. "I don't have any money or relatives I can stay with--"
"You're coming to our home." Setsuna grasped the younger girl's hand in her own. "Right now."
Zoisite blinked. "B-But what about school?"
"Your safety is more important," Setsuna told her. "Please, Zoisite. I don't trust him."
"Go with her," Haruka urged Zoisite. "We'll tell the office you had a family emergency."
"Okay," Zoisite said, "but I want to see Alan before we go to your house."
Setsuna shook her head. "No, it wouldn't be safe. Ann said she and Alan would come see you later."
"You don't understand!" Zoisite insisted. "It's my fault Malachite hurt him!"
Setsuna thought about arguing further, but Zoisite's green eyes were determined. She nodded. "I'll take you there. But you stay close to me, all right? I don't want Malachite to get anywhere near you."
"Okay." Zoisite stood up. "I have to go get my jacket."
Lita jumped up. "I'll go with you, just in case he comes looking for you."
"I'll go, too." Haruka got to her feet, giving Lita a wry grin. "Either of us could whip Malachite on our own, so I don't think he'd try taking us both on."
"I'll wait outside by the car," Setsuna said.
The remaining girls watched Zoisite leave with her bodyguards, and Amy looked up at Setsuna. "You never did answer her question about how badly the sprite is hurt."
"I know," Setsuna admitted. "I didn't have the heart to tell her. From what I saw, his face was bruised and that could mean more bruises on his body. When I got there, Malachite was squeezing the pointed tip of his ear, and the poor boy was screaming--" She shook her head. "I'm hoping the tree will have started to heal him before Zoisite and I get there. She already feels guilty, and seeing him as I did will only make it worse."
"What about Malachite?" Serena asked worriedly. "If he sees Zoisite--"
"If he tries anything, I'll transform and give him a taste of Dead Scream," Setsuna said grimly. "Zoisite is under sailor scout protection now. He'll never hurt her again."

End of Chapter 9

Story contents (C) 1997 Tenou Haruka

Sailor Moon characters (C) Naoko Takeuchi